Ikigazi (Oil Palm)
Elaeis guineensis
The African oil palm, native to West and Central Africa's wetlands but now cultivated across the tropics, is the source of palm oil — one of the most widely used cooking oils in Africa.
- Kinyarwanda name
- Ikigazi
- English name
- Oil Palm
- Scientific name
- Elaeis guineensis
- Family
- Arecaceae
Habitat
Naturally a swamp-forest and riverine species; also widely planted in plantations and homesteads.
Distribution
Native to West and Central Africa; cultivated across tropical Africa, including parts of Rwanda.
Uses
Produces palm oil used for cooking food across Africa.
Ecological importance
Fruit bunches are an important food source for birds and mammals where the palm grows wild or semi-wild.
Ibisobanuro
Amavuta y'amamesa akomoka kuri iki giti akoreshwa mu gutekaho ibiryo.